Bournemouth University Department of Tourism and Hospitality student Sooksiri Sriputtha did her placement experience at the Sailmaker pub and restaurant, own by Marston’s Inns and Taverns.

The ‘Sailmaker’ is a pub and restaurant  owned by Marston’s Inns and Taverns. Marston’s Inns and Taverns have been running pubs and brewing beer in one form or another over for 180 years and have pubs that are traditional locals, family pub restaurants and fashionable town center bars.  Marston’s Inns and Taverns operate five breweries producing over 60 of the country’s best loved ales at sites in: Burton on Trent (Marston’s), Oxfordshire (Wychwood & Brakspear), Cumbria (Jennings), Hampshire (Ringwood) and the West Midlands (Banks’s). My role position at the sailmaker is now supervisor.

I first started work at the ‘Sailmaker’ as front of house staff in February 2015 by applying straightaway to the company website. Due to the type of my student visa I was allowed to work only 20 hours a week. However, since my general manager knew about the course I was studying on, he offered me a supervisor position for my placement unit and put me through a training programme. As I am  still working with the ‘ Sailmaker ‘ my future plan in the company is to move on as ‘ assistant manager position’ to gain more experience in this industry ( as I had never worked in this industry before because my BA was in information science).

I then wish within 3-5 years to gain more experience and to be ready to step up to be ‘general manager’ still working in the hospitality industry. I would never have made this plan if I hadn’t chosen to do the placement. The placement helped me to get to know myself better in terms of what I want from my career by giving me real work experience in another country. Moreover, it taught me so much not only about work but also about people. I learned to get along with people from  a different background from me, which is a vital skill in hospitality. Thank you Bournemouth University for a great experience.